Weekly Update 10/24/08

Greetings! It feels like everything is changing. Fall is really settling in, and it seems we must truly face the coming winter and set aside our summer clothes for a while. The election is coming up, and no matter the outcome, we will be in for a change. The market keeps going up and down, and it’s hard to know what it means . . . only our plans for retirement seem less settled than before. And people who seemed untouchably without reproach, like Alan Greenspan are now being reproached. And I just checked the church’s Facebook page—its got 66 people on it, that’s about a third of our membership! We are learning new realms of computer communication. It’s a lot of change: a lot of shifting of ideas, concepts, and a fair amount of uncertainty.
 
Really, life is always changing. We all know that. But sometimes it seems it goes faster than other times. And sometimes it seem the things that are changing have really big implications. But, that may be because we haven’t considered the possibility of all the things that could intrude in even bigger, scarier ways. So, my strategy, when it seems like the change is just too much, too fast  . . . is to stop for a moment, right where I am, and look for what is going right in my life. It can be really basic stuff . . . I am breathing, I am standing, I had breakfast today. And it can be more sublime stuff . . . I have a spouse who loves me, kids who I care about, friends who admire me. Or even more global stuff .  . .  we have an African American who is a real contender in this presidential election, when only 50 years ago we had so much legalized segregation! This litany of the good is not to negate any troubles you are having in your life. But they do serve to put the troubles in the right perspective. Often, we have so much to pause and feel grateful for---at least, I know I do. God has blessed me. (Read: that which I have no control over has sustained me with all that I need for an amazing and rich life!)

This Sunday’s Schedule
8:30 am Band & 9 am Choir Rehearsal
 
9:30 am Service “God put a Rainbow in the Clouds for Me” This service explores the idea of Covenant, and just what it can mean for us UU’s. Our Band will help out on a theme song and Family Choir will sing! Join Esther Kieffer and Rev. Eva Cameron for this service that shows a lot of promise!
 
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel (balcony)
11:15 am Sunday School classes for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
“Doc” Shorts: Matamoros: The Human Face of Globalization is a documentary narrated by Edward James Olmos. This brief but revealing look at the small border
town of Matamoros, Mexico, exposes the alarming environmental and human toll of NAFTA, the “free trade” agreement of the Americas.
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditation in a meaningful way to you.
 
12:30 pm Halloween Party and Lunch
After the haunted house we will have pizza, salad, bread & a dessert for lunch. Suggested donation $4 person or $10 per family. Everyone is invited.  Please RSVP so we know how much pizza to buy. Kathryn Klink-Zeitz klinkzeitz@hotmail.com <mailto:klinkzeitz@hotmail.com>

2 pm Small Group Ministry
7 pm “What’s Up Doc?”
(new release) Michael Moore movie "Slacker Uprising"
 
This Week:
Monday
6 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck
Tuesday
1 pm Committee on Ministry
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner
6:15 pm Family Choir
6:30 pm “White Like Me” Book Discussion
6:30 pm Youth & Adult Program “Safety on the Web”
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path
 
Other Items:
KUNI is having another fund drive.  Please support them through UUSBHC. Have you heard the ads for UU’s? For the past 6 months, we have been joining with Unitarian Universalist churches in Cedar Rapids, Ames, and Davenport in this advertising campaign. Just give your normal pledge to us, and that’s how we buy the airtime.  
 
Don’t forget to go online to our website and sign-up for your time slot for the photo-directory! (Nov 13, 14, 15) www.uusbhc.org <http://www.uusbhc.org>
 
Nov 15th  . . . it’s a BIG day here. Buddhist Retreat in the morning, picture taking throughout the day, and Treats & Talents Auction in the evening. Mark you calendars now!
 

Pastoral Update . . .  In Our Thoughts and Prayers:

Don and Dorothy Wendt who both are having some health issues. Hold them in your hearts.
 
Margie Miller who is recuperating from knee surgery at home. Cards to: 3715 Briarwood Dr CF IA

Frank and Mary Olson are both anticipating surgery. Franks will be done soon on his eye. And Mary’s will be a few months on her knee. Well-wishes to: 10728 Echo Valley Rd, West Union, IA, 52175,

Bea Tate who’s still in rehab. Cards to: 1007 W 9th St CF IA

Eleanore Stark who was hospitalized with breathing problems this past week. She’s now home, recuperating. 319-277-5531.  Or cards to: 2215 Victory Dr CF IA

We’ve heard that Linnea Sumner is finally feeling better after a linger bout of mono. That’s good news!  
 
 
Last but not least:
I will not be at Cup of Joe this afternoon, since I’ll be heading down to Cedar Rapids to lead People’s Church in a Start-Up workshop with their new minister, Rev. Tom Capo. Please enjoy the time without me!
 
And don’t forget . . . tonight is Buddhist Movie Night at the church. 6:30pm Socializing and 7pm Movie starts.
 
Please feel free to contact me with questions about any of these items, or to let me know about other pastoral concerns. We want you to feel connected!
See you in church!
 
~Eva
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Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
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Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
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Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>


Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605